The Good, The Bad, and The HubNuggets

Things are pretty quiet at the HubNuggets Vacation Dude Ranch and Spa right now. Life generally moves at a slower pace here. No need to rush about and cause a stampede.

Our Paris adventure was totally delicious, and we were still excitedly comparing recipes, but no sooner had we read and voted on last week's HubNugget Wannabes, than a wild and woolly Texas "blue norther" blew in.

Wilder than any storm Paul Bunyan and Babe, his Blue Ox, had ever seen, that blue norther blew for three days and three nights, and by the time it blew itself out, it had blown us clean over the border into the Badlands, smack-dab into of a whole "passel o' trouble."

The Set-Up...

We could knew right away this would be no easy ride. Governor Menayan sent word through Marshall Maddie that the last stage from Clarksville, with its shipment of HubNugget Wannabes hubs, had been hijacked by the notorious Ukulele Band, renegade musicians who would stop at nothing until they parodied every movie theme ever written.

To raise money for studio time, the band planned to auction off copies of our HubNuggets Wannabes' hubs to as many Black Hat SEO practitioners as they could reach. Clearly, they were no respecters of original content.

Sheriff Simone, always prepared for an emergency, had fresh horses waiting, along with a bank draft for funds, in case we had to try outbidding the Black Hats, to save our HubNuggets Wannabes.

Pocahontas Inglish - Image by RedElf, photo from maskworld.com

The Plot Thickens...

Pocahontas Inglish, our trusty Mohawk Scout, managed to pick up the trail, tracking the stagecoach to an old, Civil War graveyard.

There we found the driver-less stagecoach still hitched to a team of badly-winded horses, but the chest of golden HubNugget Wannabes was nowhere in sight.

We knew we were close to the Ukulele Band, though - we could hear the faint strains of a movie theme wafting gently across the sands, and there, beside a tomb-stone, a scrap of paper fluttered in the breeze.

Mood music...

Chief Zsuzsy Bee - image by RedElf, photo from artcnet.com

RedPaw - image by RedElf

The Plan...

"Hear me, HubNuggets warriors," intoned Chief Bee. "The Ukulele Band is just over that rise - if we wait 'til they bed down for the night, we can sneak into their camp under cover of darkness, and recover the HubNugget Wannabes."

Pocahontas Inglish rose. "Mighty Chief, we will rescue the Wannabes," she vowed solemnly. "...and if any of the Ukulele Band waken, RedPaw will create a diversion by driving off their horses."

"A clever plan indeed, and typical of our clever chief," I thought. "Leaving the Ukulele Band on foot will certainly slow them down, and make it easier for us to pick up the HubNuggets Wannabes - one category at a time."

Pocahontas sounded very sure the plan would work. It sounded good to me, too, until I remembered who we were depending on to create the diversion. I don't even like horses.

In the meantime, though, we grabbed a blanket, and built up the fire to send the list we'd recovered from that scrap of paper - six HubNuggets Wannabes in the Personal Finance category. Smoke signals 'r' us!

Which one of this week's Personal Finance nominees is your favorite?

24% The Real Truth about Writing for Demand Studios

16% How To Set Up And Run Your Own Investment Club

8% Microworking

22% ING Direct! A Breath of Fresh Air?

22% Save on Groceries When Living Alone

8% Kids Savings Account

37 people have voted in this poll.

This poll is now closed to voting.

The Personal Finance Nominees

How To Set Up And Run Your Own Investment ClubInvestment Clubs What is
an Investment Club?
An
organised group of friends, family or work colleagues who meet together on a
regular basis and pool their spare cash into a separate entity, namely,...

Save on Groceries When Living AloneIf you're anything like me, going grocery shopping when you live by yourself could sometimes feel like you're throwing money away. Let's face it, most foods and products found in grocery stores aren't...

The Jackalope with no name - image by RedElf - photo from topicstosk.pantip.com

The Jackalope With No Name...

Our plan was never put into action - that blue norther blew in again during the night. By the time the weather cleared, there was no sign of the Ukulele Band or the golden HubNugget Wannabes, and one of our horses had run off.

As we searched for sign - listening to the four winds, and looking for tracks - we noticed a speck in the distance. As we watched, the speck grew larger, 'til finally we could make out a lone Jackalope riding towards us.

Reining in his horse beside us, the Jackalope struck a match on his jeans, lit a cheroot, and pulled a pouch from his saddlebag. Squinting his eyes against a whisp of smoke, he tossed the pouch to the ground where it spilled open, revealing a golden six-pack of HubNugget Wannabes hubs.

"Thought you might be lookin' fer this, Chief," he said.

Which one of this week's Politics and Social Issues nominees is your favorite?

12% Honour Killings and Forced Marriage - A UK Perspective

6% The Choice To Be Free

7% Fair Trade Basics: Your Money Speaks

16% We're All Immigrants

0% Conscious Consumers: Boycotting Target

58% What is your "HECK YEAH" moment?

81 people have voted in this poll.

This poll is now closed to voting.

We Gain a Traveling Companion

Chief Bee nodded her thanks. "We have searched many moons for this golden treasure. We have journeyed far from our homes - as far as the buffalo roams, we have - Ouch!" Chief Bee broke off sharply as Pocahontas Inglish poked her in the ribs.

"Who are you, stranger, and where did you get those HubNugget Wannabes?" asked our scout, eying the Jackalope with suspicion. "You look kinda familiar," she added. "Have we met before?"

The Jackalope stared back at Pocahontas. "My name isn't important," he drawled, "Finding the rest of the HubNugget Wannbes is. I know where the Ukulele Band's headed. You can stay here or you can come with me - your choice."

Across the desert

With the stranger leading our little tribe, er, team, er, trio we tracked the Ukulele Band across the desert, finally cornering them near Monument Valley.

The battle was brief, but epic - their flashing ukulele picks against our superior penmanship! They threw everything they had at us - literally! We were dodging ukuleles and pint-sized guitars for hours. In the end, though, the band had to concede that our pens were mightier than their hordes.

Sheriff Simone arrived to take the Ukulele Band into custody, but we barely had the popcorn popped for munching while we read and voted on the golden HubNuggets Wannabes in the Fashion & Beauty category, when the Jackalope unhitched his horse.

Swinging into his saddle, he lit another cheroot, squinting at us through the smoke. Then, he touched his hat brim in a brief salute, and turned his horse to the setting sun. As he rode away, I supressed the urge to call out, "Shane! Come back, Shane, er, bunny!"

It would have been far too melodramatic - besides, the bunny will pop up again....

Which one of this week's Fashion and Beauty nominees is your favorite?

28% 50 is the New 30 -- or Something Like That

15% Home Steam Room - Features You Must Have

8% YOUR VINTAGE HANDBAG GUIDE

26% Hunter Wellies - A buyer's guide

3% Tragus Piercing – All you need to know

21% Naturally Lightening Your Hair Using Cinnamon

39 people have voted in this poll.

This poll is now closed to voting.

The Fashion and Beauty Nominees

Home Steam Room - Features You Must HaveIt's a good idea to make sure that your steam room equipment gives you all the latest steam shower features: Intelligent Temperature Control Many home steam generators suffer from an inefficient...

Hunter Wellies - A buyer's guideHunter wellies have become the must have item for celebrities and festival goers. But what makes this brand so unique and what styles are available? This hub aims to tackle those questions. About the Brand ...

Tragus Piercing – All you need to knowTragus Piercing is the process of piercing the small cartilage that is at the end of the ear canal. Care should be taken to ensure that the Tragus heals properly 8 weeks after it has been pierced. It should be clean daily with saline or any disinfect

Naturally Lightening Your Hair Using CinnamonWomen spend ridiculous amounts of money on salon/at-home hair coloring. With a recession in full swing, it's only right that beauty come at a cheaper price. Want a different hair hue to spice up your look,...

Comments

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Author

RedElf 6 years agofrom Canada

Absolutely, dear Christopher Price, but Jackalopes have fur ;) - so glad you found some great new reading material :D

Christopher Price 6 years agofrom Vermont, USA

Thanks for the "heads up" for a couple of Nuggets I will be sure to check out.

But PLEASE! Horses have hair, NOT fur.

City Slickers...Jeez Louise!

lol

CP

Author

RedElf 7 years agofrom Canada

Thanks so very much, adrienne2! Glad you enjoyed the hub and the HubNugget Hubs!

Thanks, Affinity2010 - nice to meet you, too!

Leslie Trotter 7 years agofrom New Orleans, La

What an awesome hub, great stuff indeed.

Adrienne F Manson 7 years agofrom Atlanta

Good stuff!! I am totally blown away by the HubNuggets, very nice work.

RedElf, your photos are a blast, your set up hub for the HubNuggets was great.

Author

RedElf 7 years agofrom Canada

Awww, shucks, bunny - thanks you big galoot! Not to worry, this Kitty's had her fill of ukulele-pickin' renegades.

No, wait, bunny - sunset's that-a-way! B.T.! Wait!

Gee whizzikers - that Jackalope's direction-bump is a pot-hole, for sure.

B.T. Evilpants 7 years agofrom Hell, MI

Glad to have helped, ma'am, but I wouldn't suggest galavantin' around chasin' hardened ukulele musicians again. A cat's got to know her limitations.

Reckon I read the offerins and voted. Now where'd that danged sunset get off to?

Author

RedElf 7 years agofrom Canada

Hehehehe - they are just SO much fun, aren't they!?

Enelle Lamb 7 years agofrom Canada's 'California'

Just had to come back and listen to the Ukulele Band again LOL...made my day :D:D:D

Author

RedElf 7 years agofrom Canada

Thanks so much, sid_candid! I always enjoy writing these round-up hubs - it's such a great opportunity to be silly :)

sid_candid 7 years ago

Great work done on this hub. Read and voted. Enjoyed reading this hub.

Author

RedElf 7 years agofrom Canada

Enelle, I was once in a revolving restaurant/lounge at the top of the Sheraton the Waterfront - the 15th floor. That was a pretty high bar - great view though :D:D:D (Seriously though, thanks very much. You have a pretty way with words,too.)

I haven't found their website yet, Patty, but I know they're out there, somewhere...and thank you, too ;)

BenjaminB, thanks so much! I think the theme is a great compliment to the hub - both so staid and serious (NOT) :D:D:D

BenjaminB 7 years ago

Red Elf this is utterly hilarious and with,"The Good,The Bad and The Ugly" theme playing in th background a complete delightful journey. Thanks for a great ride through the wild west. :)

Patty Inglish 7 years agofrom North America

The Ukelele band is a real treat. Hope they have a website listing appearances. And I look forward to more feetieprints from our kitties. They are awesome.

Enelle Lamb 7 years agofrom Canada's 'California'

Hilarious! You have certainly set the bar high for the one's who follow in your feetieprints :P

Author

RedElf 7 years agofrom Canada

DjBryle, thanks for read and votes, so pleased you enjoyed it!

leni sands, when I heard the Ukele Band's "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, I had to have it! Thanks for reading and voting, it was fun writing this.

Leni Sands 7 years agofrom UK

Really enjoyed reading through this - I have seen the Ukele Band perform (on TV) they are amazing - I particularly love their rendition of The Good, the bad and the ugly it was hilarious and I absolutely love your hubs, they are so interesting and funny.

DjBryle 7 years agofrom Somewhere in the LINES of your MIND, and HOPEFULLY at the RIPPLES of your HEART. =)

You always make me proud with the way you present your hubs... you make things extra special! Read and voted. =)

Author

RedElf 7 years agofrom Canada

Hey, cags! Twenty One Days, it's actually rather difficult to be hijacked by a ukulele band - it's much easier to have a shipment made off with by a rubber band, these days.

You are most welcome, everyone and thanks so much for all that reading and voting! Congrats to all the nominees.

Klahowya, Zsuzs, er, Chief Bee :D:D:D I think you can definitely carry off the bonnet - it's a great look for you...and Patty, the headdress is definitely non-fattening, but don't add any more fringes.

DeGreek - You've just started one :D Go back and read some of my first ones - we all have to start somewhere :D

poetvix 7 years agofrom Gone from Texas but still in the south. Surrounded by God's country.

Love the story, ten kinds of too cute!

gr82bme 7 years agofrom USA

Great job on this hub. I hope to one day write as well as you do. Can it be learned? lol

De Greek 7 years agofrom UK

So this is how they write HubNuggets, is it? Hmmm. Me thinks I need a new career :-)))

Granny's House 7 years agofrom Older and Hopefully Wiser Time

Redelf, you are a great writer. Good job. Will rate up too

Zsuzsy Bee 7 years agofrom Ontario/Canada

HOW Kitty, nice job. I was told that feathers were in this season. Do you think I over did it a bit or can I pull it off with the blanket serape look and the buffalo hide thrown off to the side.

With skinny being the style this look also hides the bulges. Now on the other hand trying to get on the horse to ride-em fast is another matter altogether. Mind you the feathers should help lift... the buffalo hide... that is

Congrats hubnuggeteers on the nominations and good luck

regards Mighty Chief Zsuzsy Bee

Ign Andy 7 years agofrom Green Home Office

Great hub and congratulation for the nominees.

thesailor 7 years agofrom Seven Seas

Voted and rated it up!!!Way to go, HubNugget nominees!Thanks RedElf!!!

Maddie Ruud 7 years agofrom Oakland, CA

Petra, we never claim to read *all* the hubs in a given category. We only choose hubs from new authors (under 2 months) with a HubScore over 75. Still, not everyone reads every single hub that meets those criteria. The team shares the load; each submits picks for the week, and then it is narrowed down from there. It's a very cooperative--and, I think, fair--process. ;)

Ireno Alcala 7 years agofrom Bicol, Philippines

Those topics that were nominated probably surfaced at featured topics of the day (due to its awesomeness).

I've been nominated, once, too, but the next months were just 'a good ride on the river', but my hubs still generate some 'cents' (hehe!)

Voted, Rated it up...Best of Luck to all nominees!!!^-^

Amie Warren 7 years ago

Thank you so much for the nomination, Maddie! I feel honored to be chosen to quickly after I started writing here.

Petra Vlah 7 years agofrom Los Angeles

It must be close to impossible for the HP team to actually read the many hubs published to each of the selected topics. While I salute their effort I have my suspicions regarding the fairness of the process; I should have no complains since I have been nominated twice (and won both contest), but I am still wondering, especially because the score of any hub is a yo-yo suffering from acute bipolar disorder.

At any rate I am voting most of the time (on the topics of my interest) and my vote does not go to solicitors, but to what I believe to be the best written and informative hub.

Michelle Simtoco 7 years agofrom Cebu, Philippines

Read and vote, read and vote, read and vote! :)

Patty Inglish 7 years agofrom North America

Do I look fat in this headdress?

Twenty One Days 7 years ago

Voted.

I also wanted to say, fun artwork, Red Elf.

BTW, how does one get hijacked by a Ukulele Band? jeje. ~James

Cagsil 7 years agofrom USA or America

Hey RedElf, great hub. Voted, voted up and shared. :) :D

Author

RedElf 7 years agofrom Canada

Thanks so much Maddie - yes, he seemed to know where you was going, but I'm not sure I trust that horse

Patty, I saw that dress hanging in the window and I just had to have it (for you).

Greetings, Hh - blessings and thanks for reading and voting.

Patty Inglish 7 years agofrom North America

This is a fantastic chronicle of courage and good reading Nuggets. I want to hire that chamber orchestra, lol. And thanks for the cute dress - just the thing to wear to the grocery. Voted and rated up.

Hello, hello, 7 years agofrom London, UK

It is very hard to choose because they subjects are all so interesting and the hubs are well written.

Maddie Ruud 7 years agofrom Oakland, CA

Hilarious as usual, RedElf. Glad the Jackalope swooped in to save the day... Though now we have to help him find the direction of the sunset all over again.

Author

RedElf 7 years agofrom Canada

Thanks so much vor visiting and voting, Maita - glad you enjoyed this hub, and the HubNugget Wannabe hubs, too!

prettydarkhorse 7 years agofrom US

Nice one, the nominee hubs are very useful and nicely written. The introduction the sets of the topics are good, and funny. Great job in putting this together. Nice photos -- funny, Voted, Maita